Verse Lens · Concise explanation
1 Peter 5:1 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 1. 1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse turns from judgment and suffering to elders through a fellow elder who claims witness to Christ's sufferings and future glory.
Read It With
- 1 Peter 5:1–5
Read 1 Peter 5:1 with 5:1–5. This verse turns from judgment and suffering to elders through a fellow elder who claims witness to Christ's sufferings and future glory. The complete unit establishes this movement: A fellow elder and witness exhorts elders to shepherd God's flock willingly, eagerly, and by example—not compulsion, greed, or domination—under the Chief Shepherd; younger members and indeed everyone are called into ordered humility because God opposes pride and gives grace to the humble.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Because judgment begins with God's household, those who shepherd it receive direct motive, method, and accountability constraints. Within that movement, this verse turns from judgment and suffering to elders through a fellow elder who claims witness to Christ's sufferings and future glory.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“who am also an elder”
In plain language: The appeal is collegial before it is directive.
Turns from judgment and suffering to elders through a fellow elder who claims witness to Christ's sufferings and future glory. Leadership speaks from shared accountability and suffering rather than insulated rank.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? probableWhat Remains True
Leadership speaks from shared accountability and suffering rather than insulated rank.
How It Can Shape Life
- Require leaders to remain peers under review and close to the consequences of decisions.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 1 Peter 5:1–5 — Elders Shepherd Without Greed or Domination; Everyone Wears HumilitySources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The witness claim contributes to authorship discussion but does not by itself settle the mode of composition.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Peter 5:1–5, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 1Pet.txt, 5:1–5
Open the 1 Peter Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 1 Peter with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, older-English wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 1 Peter PDF, 5:1–5 translation with attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Peter PDF ↗